Talking Tactics: Chelsea v Arsenal

In the last two years Didier Drogba has won consecutive Premiership titles, yet he has not convinced everybody, apart from Jose Mourinho, that he is a top-quality player.

He has been accused of poor control, clumsy finishing and going down too easily. All of these observations have been exaggerated but they were given credence due to his lack of confidence. This renders a player two yards slower and physically weaker. In Drogba's case, it made him look ponderous, uncomfortable and out of synch with the football being played around him.

However, this season he has been transformed. He now looks more like the player Chelsea recruited from Marseille at great expense rather than an angry young man with the world on his shoulders. He mixes pace with power, links up play, gets behind defences and has improved his tactical awareness. Allied to some wonderful finishes, he now looks every inch a striker worthy of his place among some of the world's top players. His returning confidence is another reason for his determination to stay on his feet more often rather than take the easier option of falling to win a free-kick.

Lost confidence and an inability to accept criticism are traits which can affect even the greatest of players — and not just novices. Thierry Henry, Arsenal's record-breaking striker, has certainly not been at his best this season and a lack of self-belief has been disguised by his confident exterior. Tired, not fully fit and simply off-form he may be, but it is a lack of confidence which is causing him to look less assured.

Hopefully his replacement, Emmanuel Adebayor, will now be able to convince everybody he can become an Arsenal great following his wonderful performance against Spurs last week.

Since his move to Arsenal last January, he has occasionally suggested he possesses the attributes a successful forward needs but, due to poor finishing and lack of composure, Arsenal fans have not been sure about him. The standing ovation he received last weekend should have boosted his confidence immeasurably.

For a man of his size, he is quick and good in the air, winning most aerial duals due to his determination, spring and timing. He can cleverly manipulate the ball and has the vision to bring others into play with one-touch passing. He also works very hard which will help endear him to the fans and he shows good intelligence when trying to find space.

His goal against Spurs last week could be the defining moment in his Arsenal career, enabling him to emerge from being a bit-part player in the shadows of Henry to become the central figure in Arsenal's attacking play.

The other likely front players in today's encounter have yet to convince their fans they are crucial to their team's success. Andrei Shevchenko and Robin van Persie are at different stages of their careers but both need to impose their qualities more consistently on their team. Whereas the excellent Van Persie is another who needs to emerge from Henry's shadow, Shevchenko needs to adapt to an English league where the pace can be unrelenting.